Apparatus for the developing, &amp;c., of films



R. C. HUBBARD.- APPARATUS FOR THE "DEVELOPING, &c., OF FIL MS.

APPLICATION HLED1UNE29, I920. 1,377,887. en ed May 10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WIINESSES Roscoe C. HUBBARD INVENTOR nrromsrs R. C. HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., F FiLMS. APPLICATION FILED'JUNE29, I920.

Patented May 10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 59 z.

WITNQSSES INVENTOR POSCOE C. HUBBARD mare/ms R. C. HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., OF FILMS. APPLICATION FILED 1UNE29, 1920.

. INVENTOR Poacoz C.HUBBARD WITNESSES A TTORNEYS R.C.HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., 0F FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, I920. I 1,377,887. P tented May '10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4- l I I u :l Posc E C. Hues/mo A TTORNEYS R. C. HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., 0F FILMS.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 29,1920. 1,377,887. Patented May 10, 1921. 8 SHEETS-"SHEET 5- I m ans/ 702 Poscor: CHUBB QD Br I yaw ATTORNEYS R. C. HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THEDEVELOPING, &c., 0F FILMS. APPLICATION FILED xuuszs. 1920.

1,377,887. Patented May 10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

& R W/TNfSSE 5 INVENTOR Q WQQ Poscoz C. HUBBARD A TTUBNEYS H. C. HUBBARD. APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., 0F FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1920- v Patented May 10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET? 0 Q g T 5 Mu m C E O C R 8 EL u 8 E m w .2 ATTORNEYS R. C. HUBBARD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, 8m, 0F FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1920.

Patented May 10, 1921.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8- ,/7/ )lVl/E/VTOI? 1 figs-cor: CHUBBARB UNITED STATES ROSCOE C. HUBBARD,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AIBPARATUS FOR THE DEVELOPING, &c., 0F FILL IS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 29, 1J20.. Serial No. 392,687.

andImproved Apparatus for the Develop-- ing, &c., of Films, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to an apparatus,

adapted for use in the developing, washing, fixing, etc., of motion picture films and has for its general object to provide a machine of the indicated character improved in various particulars, whereby to possess certain advantages and obtain important new results which can best be stated in connection with a description of a practical embodiment of the invention. Suflice it to say here, that the machine is characterized by a novel unit employed, through which the film is run back and forth, in developing, washing, fixing, etc. The arrangement of the unit is such that the film is completely exposed at each of. a plurality of runs back and forth and in a manner that the number of runs and the speed of travel of the film may be such that the desired period of treatment of the film at a given unit may be relied upon. A feature of my novel unit also is that simple 1)0Sltl"8 drive means for the film at each side of the unit are effective, the sag or weight of the film in the several runs functioning to assist in giving the driving fric tion or adhesion between the film and the drive pulleys. An important feature also of my improved unit is that the film travels in horizontal or substantially horizontal runs back and forth whereby a shallow tank can be employed for compactness and lightness and the film at any time can be fully observed. a A further important feature of the unit as arranged in its preferred form in practice, is that the guiding and driving means for the horizontal film runs are in a fixed position and the tank is raised and lowered to and from the film with a parallel movement. I embody also in the apparatus provision for bringing into play an emergency wash tank should a contingency arise requiring the stopping of the machlne and the arresting of the developing process, the arrangement being such that the wash tank will move to the plane of the film in lieu of the developing tank.

Reference Is to be had to the accompanymg drawings forming a part of this specification, it being understood that the drawlngs are merely illustrative of one example of the invention.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; F g. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 4 Is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse vertical section of certain features of the film drive in the respective units and the suspension means therefor,

F 1g. 5 1s a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the partsat that side of the developing unit from which the film departs, showing also a washing device for the developed film as well as an inspection unit permitting the examination of the film at any time;

I Fig. 7 is a partial View of the apparatus in front elevation to be noted particularly in connection with the description of the washing of the film in an emergency, and

which involves means for running one of Patented May 10, 1921.

two superposed tanks laterally into or out of the elevator; v

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation showinga detail by which the laterally movable tank is engaged by the operating meansfor moving it into or out of the elevator;

Fig. 9 is a partly sectional end view of the means for running the laterally movable tank into or out of the elevator;

Fig. 10 is a diag ammatic view in perspective given to show the course of the film through the illustrated apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a partly sectional side View, diagrammatic in the main. given to aid in an understanding of the drive means employed in the illustrated example;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of an electric circuit that may be employed with the electric motor for elevating and lowering the developing and emergency tanks;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but illustrating an electric circuit that may be employed with the motor for moving the emergency or the developing tank laterally into or out of the elevator.

In carrying out my invention 1n accordance with the illustrated example, a suitable transverse members 16 forming girts forthe upright members and bearings for certain shafts as will'appear.

In the frame 15 are sustained horizontal units suitably arranged for dcveloplng, washing, fixing, etc., the developing unit being designated generally by the numeral 17, the fixed elements of the unit being sustained in their respective horizontal planes by overhead means which may constitute transverse members forming part of, or rigid with, the frame 15. A washing device designated generally by the numeral 18 is provided through which the film A is run from the developing unit 17 and the film in practice is directed downwardly'at the outside of the frame structure from the washing device 18 and forms a loop 19 with a view to the use of an inspection device hereinafter referred to without stoppng the operation of the apparatus. From the loop 19 the film is run laterally inward to a fixing unit designated generally by the numeral 20 which advantageously is disposed in the frame 15 below the parts relating to the unit 17 and like the latter, the unit 20 includes overhead means supporting those elements of said unit sustained in fixed horizontal planes. Similarly. in the frame 15 and below the fixing unit 20 is a washing unit designated generally by the numeral 21 through which the fixed film is run, said units 17, 20 and 21 being similar with respect to the means for guiding and driving the film as well as with respect to the tanks to coact with the fixed units and movable by elevator carriages toward or from the film as will appear.

The numeral 22 designates the vertically movable tank of the developing unit which tank, like the other tanks hereinafter referred to, is shallow. It is disposed horizontally to be given parallel movement to and from the horizontally supported traveling film. In association with the developing tank an emergency wash tank here designated 22 is employed, the one tank being superposed on the other and as hereinafter explained, provision is made for running one tank out of or into the elevator to and from the vertical path of the other tank, the arrangement in the illustrated example making provision for the sustaining of the de- I veloping'tank at the top and the emergency tank therebeneath and normally not functioning. means being provided for running the developing tank out of the eler'ator in an emergency. so that the wash tank 22 may rise to the plane of the film in the de-.

veloping unit. The numeral 23 indicates the tank of the washing (lH'lCQ 18 which is outside of the elevator. The numeral 24 indicates the tank of the fixing unit 20 adapted to contain a suitable fixing liquid and the numeral 25 indicates the tank of the washing unit 21 for washing the fixed film.

A suitable elevator carriage 26 is provided for the tanks 22, 22 and includes ledges 27 at opposite sides on which the lower tank upper one of said tanks. The numeral 30 in-' dicates a laterally disposed structure at the outside of the elevator which presents tracks 31 onto which the upper tank may be run from the elevator to permit the lower tank to move to the plane of the film in the developing unit 17. On the carriage 26 at op posite sides are shoes 32 having guided movement on the upright members of the frame 15 for the guiding of the carriage in the elevator.

The carriage 26 has convergent bars 33 at opposite sides or other suitable means to which is connected a hoist cable 34. Said cables 34 pass upwardly about overhead idler pulleys 35 on a horizontal shaft 35 having bearings in the adjacent horizontal bars 16 of the frame, said cables passing downwardly from the pulleys 35 to drums 36 on shaft 36, having suitable drive means, such for example as a worm wheel 37 keyed thereon, meshing with a worm 38 on a driven shaft 39 provided in the form shown with.

a driven sprocket 40 about which a chain 41 runs from a drive sprocket 42 on the motor shaft 43 of an electric motor 44, here conventionally shown and in practice of the type adapted to run in either direction.

The numeral 45 indicates a carriage for the fixing tank 24 and in general similar to the carriage 26, it being provided with shoes 46 in guided engagement with the upright frame members and having ledges 45 on which the tank 24 rests. A similar carriage 7 carries the washing tank 25 for the fixed film, said carriage having ledges 47 for the said tank and guide shoes 48. The carriages 45, 47 are connected up as a couple to travel up or down in unison, there being shown for the purpose vertical bolts 49 connecting the vertically alining shoes 46, 48 and provided with nuts 50 as well as with elongated spacing sleeves 51 between the alined shoes. For raising and lowering the coupled tank carriages 45, 47 manually operable means is provided, which may, as shown, consist of cables 52 secured at their lower ends as at 52 (Fig. 1) to the lower carriage 47 and passing upwardly to winding drums on a transverse shaft 54 which has a worm 55 thereon meshing with which is a worm 56 on a shaft 57 provided with on said tank. The dogs 60 are so positioned on carriage 26 that when the latter is in the lowered position, said dogs will be in engagement with lateral pins 62 on endless traveling chains 63 running about sprocket wheels 64 on shafts 65 turning in suitable hanger bearings 66 or the like, on structure 30 at the under side. On one of the shafts 65 is keyed a sprocket wheel 67 over which a drive chain 68 runs from a drive sprocket 69 on the motor shaft 70 of an electric motor 71 of a type adapted to run in either direction. The arrangement is such that when the carriage 26 is in the lowered position and the dogs 60 in position to be engaged by the pins 62 of chains 63, if said chains be driven in a direction so that those runs adjacent to the dogs 60 will move outwardly, said dogs will be engaged and the tank 22 thus caused to move outwardly fromthe elevator onto the tracks 31 of structure 30. A reverse driving of the chain 63 will cause the pins 62 to engage the opposite ends of the dogs 60 and return the tank to the tracks 28 on tank 22*.

The film A is run to the developing unit 17 at one end of said unit over a guide pulley 72 to a pulley 73 disposed above a longitudinal series of flanged drive pulleys 74 of said unit 17 at the near side of the latter, there being a corresponding parallel series of flanged drive pulleys 74 in the unit (17 at the opposite side thereof and disposed" in staggered relation to the pulleys 74 to cause the'film A to travel back and forth in the developing liquid in the tank 22. A guide pulley 7 3 corresponding with the pulley 7 3 but at the opposite side directs the film laterally outward from the developing unit, there being a guide pulley 77 adjacent to the washing device 18 and serving to direct the film downwardly to idler pulleys 78 turning in the washing tank 23. The shafts of the pulleys 73, 74, 7 3 74, of unit 17 turn as explained in detail hereinafter, in hang ers 7 6" pendent from bars 76 adjustably su ported as hereinafter explained from t e overhead supporting frame member of the said unit 17 whereby to dispose the respective pulleys 74, 74 in the desired staggered positions. A bracket provides an additional bearing as will appear.

In leaving the washing device 18, the film passes over-a guide pulley 79 and downwardly between a pair of feed pulleys 80 to an illuminated film-inspecting device, designated generally by the numeral 81. Guide rollers'82 are provided on the inspecting device 81 for guiding the film vertically through said device, in front of the transparent front 83 of an illuminating box- 81 equipped with an electric lamp 81 or other source oflight, the film passing at the front 81? behind a clamp 81 framing a glass or other transparent medium 81 for the ex amination of the film. The clamp 81 is carried by one arm of a-bellcrank lever 81 pivoted thereto as at 81 and rockably mounted on the axis of one of the rollers 82 or adjacent thereto, the other arm 81 of said bellcrank lever constituting a handle. The inspection device 81 is set laterally inward from a vertical line passing through the feed rollers 80 above, and because of the position of said inspection device and the provision of the loop 19 in the film, if the'film is caused to be temporarily stopped by the clamp 81 for inspection of the film, then said film directly above the inspection device between the same and the rollers 80 mayassume a looped form outside of said inspection device so that the developing and washing operations above need not be arrested durthe film at said loop 19 responding and supplying the film to the drive means of the fixing unit 20. When the clamp 81 is caused to release the film the upper loop, formed during theinspection will be'drawn upon by the engagement of the film with the rollers 82 and the material in the upper loop will be taken up by the loop 19. Additional guide pulleys 82 may be provided adjacent to the rollers 82 as shown in Fig. 6. The numeral 83 indicates a guide pulley for directing the film upwardly from the loop 19 toward fixing unit 20 and upper guide pulleys 84, 85 serve to direct the film laterally inward to the'unit 2O beneath pulleys 86, disposed abovea longitudinal series of flanged guide pulleys 87 in the unit 20 at ward from the fixing unit 20 to and over a a guide pulley 88 which directs the film downwardly to guide pulleys 91, 92, from which the film passes laterally inward over a guide pulley 93 disposed above a longitudinal series of drive pulleys 94 in the washing unit 21 at the near side, there being a corresponding series of drive pulleys 94*- in said unit at the opposite side and in staggered relation to the pulleys 94 to cause the film to travel spirally as in the previous units. The film is directed outwardly from the unit 21 beneath a guide pulley 95 and over a guide pulley 96 to any desired point for drying, etc.

The pulleys 86, 87 and 86, 87 of unit 20 are supported in hangers 89 pendent from adjustably supported bars 89 similar to the hangers 7 6? and bars 76.

The shafts carrying the pulleys 93, 94, 94,

ley 86 The staggered series of pulleys and eachunit at each end are positively driven, the driving connection at one end of one of the units being'shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and will answer to illustrate the driving of all of the staggered pulleys. The particular elements of Figs. 4 and 5 may be considered as being the arrangement at one side of the fixing unit 20. Each longitudinal series of pulleys (74, 74 87, 87 94, 94 is mounted on a shaft; the respective shafts will be individu-- ally referred to and separately designated hereinafter. Suffice it tosay here that the shaft of each longitudinal series of pulleys has thereon a pinion 99, (see Figs. 4 and 5), meshing with a corresponding pinion on the shaft carrying that guide pulley directly above the longitudinal series so that each longitudinal series of pulleys is positively driven.

It will readily be understood that any suitable arrangement of drive elements may be employed for turning the driven parts. In the illustrated example a drive belt 101 running from any convenient motor or other source of power ,(not shown) runs over a. sprocket 102 on a transverse stud shaft 103, said shaft having a second sprocket 104 over which a belt105 runs to a pulley 106 on the transverse shaft 107 disposed directly over the adjacent longitudinal series of pulleys 94, said shaft- 107 having that pinion 100 which meshes with that pinion 99 on the shaft 108 which carries said adjacent series of pulleys 94 The shaft 107 is provided with a second. pulley (corresponding with pulley 135.0n the unit 17 as hereinafter referred to see plan view in Fig. 2), from which a belt 109 runs over a sprocket 110 on the shaft 111 carrying that sprocket wheel 100 meshing with the pinion 99 on the shaft 112 carrying the longitudinal series of pulleys 94 at the opposite'side of the unit 21.

.On the shaft 103 is a third pulley 113, (see Fig. *1), over which a belt-114 runs upwardly to a sprocket 115 on a short shaft 116, said shaft 115 having a second sprocket 117 over which a belt 118 runs to a sprocket 119 on the shaft 120 carrying the guide puland carrying also that pinion which meshes with the pinion 99 on the shaft 121 carrying the longitudinal series of pulleys 87 of fixing unit 20. On the shaft 120' a second sprocket is provided (corresponding vith sprocket 135 of the unit 17) from which sprocket a chain belt 122 runs to a head member by a shaft 124 carrying the guidepulley 86 of the fixing unit 20 and carrying also that pinion 100 meshing with the pinion 99 on the shaft 125 carrying the longitudinal series of pulleys 87*. On the shaft 120 is a third sprocket 126 (see Fig. 1) over which a belt 127 runs upwardly to a sprocket 128 on a shaft 129 carrying the guide pulley 77. Said shaft 129 carries a sprocket 130 over which a chain 131 runs to a sprocket 132 on a shaft 133 carrying the guide pulley 73 of unit 17 and carrying that pinion 100 meshing with the pinion 99 on the shaft 134 carrying the longitudinal series of'pulleys74. On the shaft 132 is a second sprocket 135 over which a chain 136 runs to a sprocket 137 on a shaft 138 carrying the guide pulley 72. On the shaft 138 is a second sprocket 139 from which a belt 140 runs to a sprocket 141 of a shaft 142 carrying the guide pulley 73 and carrying also that pinion 100 meshing with the pinion 99 on the shaft 143 carrying the longitudi sprocket 123 on nal series of pulleys 74. If desired, the shaft have a sprocket 144 to take off power by a belt 145, (Fig. 2), to other machinery, such as a duplicate of my described machine. For driving the feed rollers 80 a belt 146 may be employed running from a sprocket 147 on the shaft 129 over a sprocket 148 on the shaft of one of said rollers 80.

As the adjustment of the longitudinal series of pulleysin the different units 17, 20 and 21 through the medium of the bars 76, 89, 98 is alike, it will answer to describe the adjustment of erence to Figs. 4 and 5. Said Figs. 4 and 5 may be considered as pertaining to devices atone side of unit 20. The hanger 89 is secured to the bar 89 by bolts 149 or other-' wise and said bar 89 is slidably supported on guides 150 secured to the overhead fixed member of the unit 20. by bolts 151 or the like, said guides being spaced from the overbars or blocks 152. Thus, the bars 89 and their pairs of hangers 89, atopposite sides of the unit 20 may be relatively adjusted for so disposing the two parallel series of pulleys 87 and 87 as to give-the desired back and forth movement to the film. The shafts 120, 121 and their pinions 100, 99, move accordingly. To compensate for the adjustment of the shafts 120 each shaft has the end thereof in the form of a separate extension 120 formed with a slot 120, the main shaft section having a pin 120 in said slot. Thus, the driving sprocket 119 is on the fixed section of the shaft 120 and the body of the shaft can be moved axially relatively to said fixed section and drive sprocket. The shaft extensions 120 turn in bearings afforded by brackets 129 may 75. The reference character 85*, Figs. 4

one having particular refcuit.

ted from Fig. 4. Similarly, the bars 76 and 98 of units 17 and 21 may be adjusted to adjust the longitudinal series of pulleys 74, 74 94, 94 in said units, together with an adjustment of the pulley shafts of said units, the shafts 107, 111, as well as shafts 133, 142, having respectively additional bearings in the brackets 75 and 75*.

A circuit to control the raising and lowering of the tanks 22, 22 by the motor 44 is shown in Fig. 12, which motor as stated is indicated of the type adapted to run in either direction. The circuit includes a manually operable switch 153 adapted to be thrown in one direction to close the circuit through terminals 154 for driving themotor in one direction or thrown in the opposite direction to close the circuit between terminals 155 for driving'the motor in the reverse direction. In circuit with the terminals 154 is a fixed contact 156 and a movable contact 157 normally tending to engage the contact 156, said contacts 157, 156 being disposed at the limit of the upward movement of the tanks. At the limit of the lower movement of the tanks and in circuit with the terminals 155. is a fixed contact 158 and a movable contact 159 normally tending to engage the contact 158 for closing the cir- A conductor wire 160 runs from one of the terminals 154 to the fixed contact 156 and a return wire 160 runs from the contact 157 to the other terminal 154. Similarly, a conductor wire 161 runs from one of the terminals 155 to the fixed contact 158 and a return conductor 161 runs from the movable contact 159 to the other terminal 155. Circuit breaking members are provided on a suitable part or parts moving with the carriage 26 and tanks, there being shown a trip member 162 on the upper tank adapted when the tank reaches the limit of its upward movement to engage a member 157 on the contact 157 for breaking the circuit between the contacts 156, 157. A trip member 163 on the lower tank will rise to a position to engage the member157 in the event the tank 22 has been moved laterally to the structure 30 so that whichever tank 22 or 22 is functioning in connection with the fixed parts of the developing unit 17, the circuit will be automatically broken between the contacts 156, 157 when the carriage 26 has carried the tank or tanks to the upper position for immersing the film of said unit 17. When one or both tanks are on the carriage 26 the tripmember 163 will break the circuit between the contacts 158, 159by engaging the member 159 of contact 159 when the carriage reaches the lower position. In Fig. 13 is shown a circuit for moving the uppermost tank (22) to and from the structure 30 by the motor 71 which as stated operates in either direction. Said circuit includes a switch 164 adapted when thrown in one direction to close the circuit between terminals 165 and when thrown in the other direction fixed contact 169 and a movable contact 170 normally tending-to engage the contact 169. A conductor wire 171 runs from one terminal 165 to the fixed contact 167, there being a return wire 171 from the movable contact 168 to the other terminal 165. Similarly, a conductor wire 172 runs from one terminal 166 to the fixed contact 169, there being a return conductor wire 17 2 from the movable contact 170 to the other terminal 166. Thus the throwing of the switch 164 in one direction to close the circuit between the terminals 165will cause the motor 71 to turn in one direction for moving the tank 22 from. the elevator to the structure 30 and when the tank reaches the limit of its outer movement a trip member 173 thereon will engage the member 168 on movable contact 168 and automatically break the circuit. To cause the tank 22 to move from the structure 30 laterally inward to the elevator, the switch 164 is thrown to close the circuit between the terminals 166 and cause the working run of chain 62 to move inwardly and as the tank reaches its inner position a trip member 174 at the inner end thereof will engage a member 170 on the movable contact 170 and break the circuit between the. contacts 169, 170.

With the described means for supporting and driving the film, a non-supporting clear ance is presented for the film between the opposite longitudinal series of pulleys in each unit, thereby imposing the weight of the sagging film on thepulleys to give driving adhesion. At the same time, the lower runs of the film are always immersed, while employing a shallow tank. Moreover, the immersed film is equally and completely ex posed for its whole area to the liquid; furthermore, the whole film is visible and accessible for observation or the like at any time.

I would state in conclusion that while the illustrated example constitutes a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself strictly to the mechanical details herein illustrated, since manifestly the same can be considerably varied without departure from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended. claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim':

1. In an apparatus for treating films, a film-immersing tank', film-actuating means,

and means to move the one relatively to the plane of the other; said first-mentioned means being disposed substantially horizontal, to move the film in approximately a horizontal plane in said tank.

2. In an apparatus for treating films, a film-supporting and actuating unit having means to advance back path of movement, and a film-immersing tank therebeneath; together with elevator means carrying said'tank and adapted to move the same to or from the plane of said unit.

3. In an apparatus for treating films, a film-immersing tank, and a film-supporting and actuating unit, said unit comprising drive pulleys at opposite sides thereof, the pulleys at the'respective sides being in staggered relation to run the film back and forth; said unit affording a non-supporting clearancefor the film between the opposite series of drive pulleys to impose the weight of the film on the drive pulleys.

4. In an apparatus for treating films, a unit embodying driven pulleys to direct the film back and forth in upper and lower runs in approximately affording support for the film at opposite sides only of the unit to permit both of said upper and lower runs of the film to sag between the pulleys and produce driving adhesion of the film on the pulleys by imposing the weight of both runs of the film on said pulleys.

5. In an apparatus for treating films, a substantially horizontal film-supporting and actuating unit in fixed position, said unit affording support for both the forward and back runs of the film at opposite sides only and arranged to direct the film back and forth in upper and lower runs a plurality of times horizontally, and affording a non-supporting clearance for both the upper and lower runs of the film betw en said sides to permit both runs to sag between'the pulleys and permit the plurality of lower runs thereof to hang free and completely exposed between the" side-supporting and actuating means.

6. In an apparatus for treating films, a substantially horizontal film-supporting and actuating unit in fixed position, said unit affording support for the film at opposite sides only and arranged to direct the film back and forth in the form of upper and lower runs a plurality of times horizontally, and affording a non-supporting clearance for both of said runs of the film between said sides to permit both runs to sag and permit the plurality of lower runs thereof to hang free and completely exposed between the side-supporting and actuating means, and an immersing tank beneath said unit.

7. Inan apparatus for treating films, a substantially horizontal film-supporting and tally,

the film in a forward and a horizontal plane and' from its position on actuating unit in fixed position, said unit affording support for the film at opposite sides only and arranged to direct the film back and forth a plurality of times horizonand affording a non-supporting clearance for the film between said sides to permit the plurality of lower runs thereof to hang free and completely exposed between the side-supporting and actuating means, and an immersing tank beneath said unit; together with means to raise or lower said tank relatively to the plane of saidunit.

8. In an apparatus for treating films, a film-supporting and actuating unit having means to afiord support at opposite sides only for the runs of a film running back and forth in upper and lower runs, the said of said unit, an emergency wash tank, and

means to run one of said tanks laterally to a position above the other tank on the elevating means or laterally outward from said position.

10. An apparatus for treating films, in-

cluding a film-supporting and actuating unit, a developing tank, elevating means to raise or lower' said tank relatively to the plane of said unit, an emergency wash tank, and means to run one of said tanks laterally to or from the elevating means to cause the remaining tank to function in coaction with said unit. 11. An apparatus for treating films including a film-supporting and actuating unit, a developing tank, and an emergency tank, one superposed on the other, elevating means accommodating both tanks to move the same toward or from the plane of said unit, and means whereby the upper tank may be moved laterally to or from said elevating means.

12. An apparatus for treating films including a film-supporting and actuating unit, a tank accommodated on said elevating means, a second tank above the first tank, said first tank presenting tracks for the second tank, and tracks disposed laterally outward at a side of the elevator means onto which the second tank may be run the first tank.

13. An apparatus for treating films, including a plurality of film-supporting and actuating units, one above another, tanks below the respective units, elevating means for the uppermost tank, and means for elevating the other tanks independently of the first-mentioned tank. I

14. An apparatus for treating films, comprising a developing .initincluding filmunit between the pulleys affording nonsupporting and actuating means, a tank heneath said unit, means to raise and lower.

tank, means uniting said carriages as a couple, and means to raise and lower said coupled carriages independently of the developing tank.

15. An apparatus for treating films, including a developing unit having means to support and actuate the film, a tank associated with said unit, a washing device laterally outward from said tank, and film-fixing means below said washing device; together with means to direct the film from the de- -veloping tank through said washing device and downwardly to said fixing means.

16. In an apparatus for treating films, developing means including film-supporting and actuating means, and a developing tank, a washing device in fixed position at a side of said developing means, and means to move the developing tank to and from its operative position independently of said washing device.

17. An apparatus for treating films,-including means for subjecting the film to developing and fixing liquids in succession, means torun the film successively through the developing and fixing means, and a device to permit inspection of the film without arresting the developing and fixing operations, said inspection device including means to clamp the film; together with means below said inspection device for forming the film into a vertical loop between said inspection device and the means for subjecting the film to the fixing liquid.

18. An apparatus for treating films, including means for subjecting the film to developing and fixing liquids in succession, means to run the film successively through the developing and fixing means, a device to permit inspection of the film without arresting and fixing operations, said inspection device including means to clamp the film, feed rollers for the film disposed above and laterally of the plane of said inspection device, and means to form the film into a vertical loop below the inspection device.

19. An apparatus for treating films," including means for subjecting the film'to de-.

veloping and fixing liquids in succession, means to run the film successively through the developing and fixing means, a device to permit inspection of the film without arresting the developing or fixing operations, said inspection device including means to clamp the film; feed rollers for the film disposed above said inspection device, and means to form the film into a vertical loop below the inspection device.

20. An apparatus for treating films including film-supporting and abtuating means, a'tank adapted to receive a liquid, a carriage to move said tank toward or from the film-supporting and actuating means,

operating means for said carriage, manually operable means to throw said operating means into operation, and means subject to the movements of the carriage up and down to automatically throw said operating means out of operation when the limit of a carriage movement has been reached.

21. An apparatus for treating films, including a unit comprising film-supporting and actuating pulleys, disposed at the sides of said unit to cause the film to move back and forth between the pulleys, guide pulleys above said drive pulleys, drive connections between the shafts of the guide pulleys and the shafts of the drive pulleys, and means to actuate the shafts of the guide pulleys.

Roscoe c. HUBBARD. 

